Functional dyspepsia （FD） is a prioritized disease category where traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） demonstrates distinct therapeutic advantages. The current western medicine treatment for FD is mainly based on proton pump inhibitors and prokinetic agents， with digestive enzymes， probiotics and antidepressants serving as adjuvant medication， yet such therapies still have certain limitations. TCM treatment for FD includes oral administration of Chinese herbal formulas and Chinese patent medicines， as well as external TCM therapies such as acupuncture and moxibustion， acupoint application， hot medicinal compress therapy， rubbing with ointment， medicinal iontophoresis， auricular acupoint therapy and tui na （Chinese medical massage）. The combined treatment of FD with integrated TCM and western medicine can significantly improve clinical effectiveness and reduce adverse reactions. The common mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of both TCM and western medicine revolve around the core pathological processes of FD， mainly focusing on restoring gastrointestinal motility， regulating the levels of brain-gut peptides， modulating intestinal microecology， and ameliorating inflammatory status. The differential mechanisms lie in the precise targeting feature of western medicine versus the holistic-regulating and multi-target characteristics of TCM， and the two approaches exert a synergistic effect to enhance efficacy. This paper proposes to leverage the advantages of TCM in holistic regulation and the strengths of western medicine in targeted treatment， so as to provide personalized and comprehensive treatment regimens for FD patients.

OBJECTIVE To study the protective effect and potential mechanism of chikusetsu saponin Ⅳ a （chsⅣ） on renal function in diabetic nephropathy （DN） model rats. METHODS DN rat model was established by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin injection. Thirty-six model rats were randomly divided into model group （i.g. administration of normal saline， high-fat diet）， chsⅣ low-dose and high-dose groups （i.g. administration of 90， 180 mg/kg chsⅣ， high-fat diet）， with 12 rats in each group. Additionally， 10 normal rats were set as the control group （i.g. administration of normal saline， regular diet）. From the 5th to the 12th week after streptozotocin injection， they were given intragastric administration of relevant drug or normal saline， once a day. After the last medication， the levels of fasting blood glucose， fasting insulin， blood urea nitrogen， serum creatinine and urine protein as well as the levels of reduced glutathione （GSH）， superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） in renal tissues were measured. Additionally， the insulin resistance index was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin， periodic acid-Schiff， and Masson staining techniques were employed to examine the histopathological alterations in the renal tissue. The expressions of Notch signaling pathway-related proteins in renal tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot methods. RESULTS Compared with model group， the histomorphological of renal tissues in the chsⅣ low- and high-dose groups were significantly improved， with significant decreases in renal histological scores， mesangial expansion index， and glomerulosclerosis scores （ P ＜0.05）； the levels of fasting blood glucose， fasting insulin， blood urea nitrogen， serum creatinine， urine protein and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance， as well as MDA content， the expression levels of Notch1， Notch intracellular domain， hairy and enhancer of Split 1 and Delta-like protein 1 in renal tissue were all significantly decreased （ P ＜0.05）. The levels of GSH and SOD in renal tissue were significantly elevated （ P ＜0.05）. Moreover， the improvement in these indicators was significantly more pronounced in the chsⅣ high-dose group compared to the chsⅣ low-dose group （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ChsⅣ can ameliorate renal pathological damage and functional impairment in DN rats. Its underlying mechanisms include restoration of glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity， attenuation of renal oxidative stress， and suppression of aberrant Notch signaling pathway activation.

Objective: To explore the management of blood donors tested reactive to HCV in blood screening based on confirmation of HCV infection. Methods: Multiple HCV antibody assays, repeating HCV RNA testing, follow-up of blood donors and retesting of archive samples were performed to confirm HCV infection, identify infection status, and exclude false positives in blood donors reactive to HCV in blood screening. Results: From 2011 to 2024, the unqualified rate of HCV detection in blood screening was 2.45‰(2 751/1 122 026). Among these, anti-HCV+-&NAT-accounted for 1.85‰, followed by anti-HCV++ at 0.60‰. The proportion of anti-HCV+-&NAT-and HCV RNA yields was extremely low (0.007‰). The positive rate of anti-HCV+-&NAT-samples tested by electrochemiluminescence method (ELCIA) was approximately 7.5%, differing among reagents (P<0.05). The follow-up of anti-HCV+-&NAT-donors showed that 96.2% (202/210) were false positives, but 51.4% of donors remained anti-HCV+-&NAT-during follow-up. Among them, 8 donors (3.8%) could not be ruled out from HCV infection due to positive retesting by ELCIA. Of the anti-HCV+-&NAT-donors who were reactive at the first follow-up, 86.8% remained anti-HCV+-&NAT-at the second follow-up. The sampling confirmation data showed that all of 260 anti-HCV++ donors were confirmed as anti-HCV positive, and the proportion of false positives or missed detections by NAT was very low. Two occult HBV infections (OBIs) and one HBsAg carrier were identified among the 3 anti-HCV +-&NAT+ donors, and no HCV infection was confirmed in 5 anti-HCV--&HCV RNA + donors. Conclusion: The prevalence of HCV among blood donors in Dalian was about 0.06%, with extremely low proportion of window-period infection and slightly higher proportion of resolved infections than that of current infections. The majority of anti-HCV+-&NAT-were false positive. Blood donors confirmed as false positive should be qualified in blood screening 3 months later before next donation. In order to reduce the false positive results, it was advisable to avoid the same type of supplementary reagents as the initial reagents when performing confirmation.

Objective: To analyze the compliance status of physical fitness indicator and lifestyle characteristics among secondary vocational school students, as well as their associations, so as to provide a reference for physical fitness promotion among secondary vocational school students. Methods: Using a convenience sampling method, a questionnaire survey and physical fitness tests were conducted from September to December 2024 among 5 141 secondary vocational school students recruited from 16 secondary vocational schools across 8 provinces/municipalities in China, including Fujian, Chongqing, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hubei, Jiangxi, Shanghai and Zhejiang. Data on lifestyle factors were collected using a self designed questionnaire combined with standardized scales, including dietary habits, unhealthy behaviors, and 24 hour behaviors (physical activity, screen time, and sleep behavior). Multivariable Logistic regression model was used to analyze the associations of individual lifestyle behaviors and clustering of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors with non-compliance in physical fitness indicators among secondary vocational school students. Results: The compliance rates for waist circumference, vital capacity, grip strength, standing long jump, 30 second sit ups, 20 meter shuttle run, 50 meter dash, sit and reach, 20 second side steps among secondary vocational school students were 55.9%, 89.6%, 81.8%, 79.4%, 77.8%, 61.4%, 87.0%, 12.6%, and 63.5%, respectively, with a non-overweight/obesity rate of 78.9%. The reporting rates of daily breakfast consumption, milk consumption, and vegetable consumption were 58.9%, 18.3%, and 37.5%, respectively. The reporting rates of frequent takeout consumption, frequent sugar sweetened beverage consumption, smoking, alcohol drinking, insufficient moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), excessive screen time, and insufficient sleep were 30.0%, 43.8%, 8.4%, 15.8%, 42.9%, 90.8%, and 42.6%, respectively. Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that secondary vocational school students with insufficient MVPA had higher risks of non-compliance in vital capacity, grip strength, standing long jump, 30 second sit ups, 20 meter shuttle run, 50 meter dash, and 20 second side steps ( OR =1.22- 1.60 ); secondary vocational school students who consumed breakfast daily had lower risks of non-compliance in vital capacity and overweight/obesity ( OR =0.81, 0.85); daily vegetable consumption was associated with a lower risk of vital capacity non-compliance ( OR =0.72); frequent takeout consumption was associated with an increased risk of non-compliance in the sit and reach test ( OR =1.28); smoking was associated with increased risks of non-compliance in the 20 meter shuttle run and 20 second side steps ( OR =1.38, 1.58) (all P <0.05). Regarding the clustering of unhealthy behaviors, secondary vocational school students with 4- 5 clustered unhealthy behaviors had higher risks of non-compliance in waist circumference and standing long jump; those with≥6 clustered behaviors had higher risks of non-compliance in standing long jump, 20 meter shuttle run, and 20 second side step ( OR = 1.17-1.36, all P <0.05). Conclusions The clustering of unhealthy behaviors is negatively associated with physical fitness status among secondary vocational school students. Secondary vocational schools should prioritize the promotion of comprehensive lifestyle management to improve the physical fitness levels of secondary vocational school students.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of stone needle thermocompression and massage compared to flurbiprofen gel patch in relieving chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back， and to explore the potential mediating mechanism through muscle elasticity. MethodsA total of 120 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back were randomly assigned to either stone needle group or flurbiprofen group， with 60 patients in each. The stone needle group received stone needle thermocompression and massage for 30 minutes， three times per week； the flurbiprofen group received flurbiprofen gel patch twice daily. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. Pain improvement， as the primary outcome， was assessed using the Global Pain Scale （GPS） at baseline， after 2 weeks of treatment， and again 2 weeks post-treatment. To explore potential mechanisms， a mediator analysis was conducted by measuring changes in superficial and deep muscle elasticity using musculoskeletal ultrasound at baseline and after the 2-week treatment period. ResultsThe stone needle group showed significantly greater pain relief than the flurbiprofen group 2 weeks post-treatment. After adjusting for confounders related to pain duration， the between-group mean difference was -8.8 ［95% CI （-18.2， -0.7）， P＜0.05］. Part of the therapeutic effect was mediated by changes in deep muscle elasticity， with a mediation effect size of -1.5 ［95% CI （-2.0， -0.9）， P = 0.024］， accounting for 17.9% of the total effect. ConclusionStone needle thermocompression and massage can effectively relieve chronic musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and back， partly through a mediating effect of improved deep muscle elasticity.

Acute large-vessel occlusive ischemic stroke has high disability and mortality rates，causing a great burden to social economy and health care system. Mechanical thrombectomy has become the standard treatment method for this disease，but some patients still have poor prognosis after successful recanalization of blood vessels，and therefore，it is important to explore the factors that can be used to judge the poor prognosis of patients. Quantitative electroencephalography can quantify and objectively assess the changing process of brain function in patients，and RAPID perfusion parameters based on brain CTP can rapidly quantify the local blood perfusion of brain tissue. This combination of perfusion neuroimaging and electrophysiological activity can quantify the severity of ischemia associated with cerebral infarction and functional damage to neurons. This article reviews the application value of these two methods in the prognostic evaluation of stroke.

Objective To investigate the effect of tritiated water on the immune system of zebrafish and its potential molecular mechanism. Methods Zebrafish embryos (2.5 to 3 hours post-fertilization [hpf]) were exposed to 3.7 × 10⁴ Bq/mL tritiated water (tritiated water group), and those exposed to E3 culture medium were used as the control group. The mortality rate, hatching rate, deformity rate, heart rate, body length, yolk sac area, neutrophil count in the tail, immune-related gene expression, and immune-related protein expression of zebrafish in the two groups were determined. Then transcriptome technology was used to further analyze the possible mechanism of tritiated water affecting the immune system of zebrafish. Results Compared with the control group, zebrafish at 72 hpf in the tritiated water group had no significant changes in the mortality rate, hatching rate, deformity rate, body length, and yolk sac area((t = 0.9045, 0.5000, 1.0000, 0.7238, 0.0337, P = 0.4169, 0.6433, 0.3739, 0.4785, 0.9735), but had significantly increased heart rate(t = 4.575，P = 0.002). At 4 days post-fertilization (dpf), the neutrophil count in the tail of zebrafish in the tritiated water group was significantly increased(t = 2.563，P = 0.0196), the mRNA expression of TNF-α was significantly decreased(t = 2.891, P = 0.045), the protein expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was significantly increased(t = 3.848, P = 0.018), and the protein expression of NLRP3 was significantly decreased(t = 14.98, P = 0.001). At 7 dpf, the neutrophil count in the tail and the protein expression levels of NF-κB, NLRP3, and interleukin-1β were significantly decreased(t = 3.772, 7.048, 15.620, 4.423, P = 0.014, 0.002, 0.0001, 0.012). Transcriptome sequencing revealed that differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the “neutrophil activation” and “platelet activation pathways” at 4 dpf and in the “neutrophil apoptosis”, “ferroptosis”, and “necroptosis” pathways at 7 dpf. Conclusion Tritiated water exposure induces a temporally dynamic immune response in zebrafish, potentially affecting immune homeostasis by regulating neutrophil activation and apoptosis, as well as the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3.

Objective:To identify the trajectories of dietary choline intake in middle-aged and older population, and to analyze its longitudinal association with cognitive function.Methods:Subjects aged 55 to 79 years with at least two rounds of completed population economics, lifestyle, disease history, cognitive function, dietary assessments and physical measurements in 1997-2018 and those with at least three rounds of dietary measures in 1991-2015 were selected from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Dietary survey was conducted using three consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls combined with a weighing inventory at the household level. Cognitive assessment was performed using part of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status Scale. Group-based univariate trajectory modeling was used to identify trajectory of choline intake, and three-level linear mixed-effects models or three-level logistic mixed-effects models was employed to analyze the relationship between trajectory groups and cognitive function. Subgroup analyses were conducted by gender and age at baseline.Results:Four trajectories of dietary choline intake were identified in the whole population, named as low-intake-stable group (61.0%), medium-intake-stable group (23.9%), medium-intake-slowly-declined group (11.2%), and high-intake-stable group (3.9%). Three trajectories were identified for each subgroup. Low-intake-stable group accounted for more than 60% in total population as well as each subgroup, especially in women and 55-59 years group. After adjusting for covariates, global cognitive scores were 0.54 (95% CI: 0.26-0.82), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.36-1.18), and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.21-1.48) points higher in medium-intake-stable, medium-intake- slowly-declined and high-intake-stable groups in the whole population, respectively, compared with the low-intake-stable group. The likelihoods of cognitive decline were 18.4% ( OR=0.816,95% CI: 0.709-0.939), 17.6% ( OR=0.824, 95% CI: 0.680-0.998), 24.4% ( OR=0.756, 95% CI: 0.589-0.970) and 22.4% ( OR=0.776,95% CI: 0.623-0.968) lower in medium-intake-stable group of dietary choline in the whole population, medium-intake-stable group in males, medium-intake-slightly-increased group in females and medium-intake-slowly-increased group in 55-59 years at baseline than in low-intake-stable group, respectively. Conclusions:Dietary choline intake is generally lower in the Chinese population aged 55-79 years. Long-term lower choline intake has a negative impact on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults and may increase the risk of cognitive decline. The increment in the consumption of choline-enriched foods should be recommended.

Objective:To evaluate the predictive efficacy of different comorbidity indices for hospitalization due to acute exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with comorbidities (CO-COPD).Methods:This retrospective cohort study included 259 stable COPD patients with comorbidities from Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, between October 2021 and September 2023, all with ≥1-year follow-up. Patients were categorized into hospitalized ( n=75) and non-hospitalized ( n=184) groups based on acute exacerbation events. Clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and comorbidity indices, including Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), COPD-specific Comorbidity Test (COTE), and comorbidities in chronic obstructive lung disease index (COMCOLD) were compared between two goups. Risk facors of hospitalization due to acute exacerbations were analyzed by Cox regression. Modified indices were developed by incorporating additional respiratory comorbidities (asthma, bronchiectasis, lung cancer) weighted by hazard ratios (HRs) from Cox reguression. The predictive performance of different comorbidity indices for hospitalization was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results:Hospitalized patients exhibited lower BMI, FEV 1% predicted, and FEV 1/FVC (all P<0.05), alongside higher modified British Medical Research Coucil (mMRC) scores and COPD assessment test (CAT) scores, eosinophil counts, and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, (GOLD)severity ( t=3.73, Z=-3.43, Z=-2.43, Z=-11.10, Z=-11.32, Z=-1.80, χ2=17.62, all P<0.05); and also higher use rates of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and systemic oral corticosteroid (OCS) ( χ2=5.48, 7.15, all P<0.05). The comorbidities of asthma, bronchiectasis, lung cancer, hypertension, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, anxiety and depression in hospitalized group were significantly higher ( χ2=22.49, 18.30, 15.63, 5.10, 4.68, 7.46, 5.16, all P<0.05), along with the increased CCI and COTE index ( P<0.05). Comorbid asthma, bronchiectasis, and lung cancer were independent risk factors for hospitalization ( HR=1.841, 2.924, and 2.076, respectively; all P<0.05). Original CCI and COTE showed moderate predictive value ( AUC=0.609 and 0.655), while modified CCI, COTE, and COMCOLD demonstrated improved performance ( AUC=0.730, 0.760, and 0.713, respectively). At optimal cutoffs (modified CCI>3.5, COTE>4.5, COMCOLD>6.5), sensitivities were 61.3%, 76.0%, and 58.7%, with specificities of 70.1%, 61.4%, and 72.3%. Age-stratified analysis revealed enhanced predictive utility of modified indices across age groups. Conclusions:CCI, COTE, and COMCOLD provide modest predictive value for hospitalization in CO-COPD. Modified indices incorporating respiratory comorbidities significantly improve risk stratification, offering clinical utility for identifying high-risk patients in primary care settings.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and genetic etiology of two Chinese patients with Cowden syndrome (CS). METHODS: Two patients diagnosed with multiple gastrointestinal polyps by gastroenteroscopy at Henan Provincial People's Hospital in September and November 2023 were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of the patients were collected. Whole exome sequence (WES) was carried out. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No.: 2018-03-01). RESULTS: The patients were diagnosed with multiple gastrointestinal polyps in addition with polypoid changes of the gallbladder. Genetic testing revealed that patient 1 has harbored a heterozygous c.738dupG (p.Leu247Valfs*6) variant of the PTEN gene, which was unreported previously. Patient 2 has harbored a heterozygous c.469G>T (p.Glu157Ter) variant of the PTEN gene, which was known to be pathogenic. None of their family members was found to harbor the above variants. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, both variants were rated as pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_Supporting+PP3+PP4). Bioinformatic analysis suggested that both variants can significantly affect the tertiary structure of the PTEN protein. CONCLUSION The heterozygous variants of the PTEN gene probably underlay the CS in both patients. Discovery of the novel variant has enriched the mutational spectrum of the PTEN gene.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; China ; Hamartoma Syndrome, Multiple/genetics* ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase/chemistry* ; East Asian People/genetics*